Mobile CT imaging system comprising a mobile CT imaging machine with an on-board digital radiography imager and/or an on-board ultrasound imager

Abstract

An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising: a housing having a center opening; a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising: a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising:
 a housing having a center opening; 
 a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
 a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; 
 an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and 
 an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and 
 
 a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the X-ray emitter is configured to emit an X-ray beam having a first power level when the detector plate is disposed in its retracted position, and wherein the X-ray emitter is configured to emit an X-ray beam having a second power level when the detector plate is disposed in its extended position. 
     
     
       3. The imaging system according to  claim 2  wherein the first power level is greater than the second power level. 
     
     
       4. The imaging system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a motor for moving the detector plate between its retracted position and its extended position. 
     
     
       5. The imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the detector plate is slidably mounted to the rotatable disc. 
     
     
       6. The imaging system according to  claim 5  wherein the CT imaging unit comprises a rail and at least one telescoping arm for slidably moving the detector plate along the rail. 
     
     
       7. The imaging system according to  claim 1  further comprising an ultrasound imager. 
     
     
       8. The imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a transport mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit, wherein the transport mechanism comprises (i) a gross movement mechanism for transporting the CT imaging unit across room distances, and (ii) a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to a patient, during scanning. 
     
     
       9. An imaging system for imaging an object, said imaging system comprising:
 a housing having a center opening; 
 a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
 a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; 
 an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and 
 an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and 
 
 an ultrasound imager. 
 
     
     
       10. The imaging system according to  claim 9  wherein the housing comprises a cradle for receiving the ultrasound imager. 
     
     
       11. The imaging system according to  claim 9  further comprising a visual display for displaying data obtained by the ultrasound imager. 
     
     
       12. The imaging system according to  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a transport mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit, wherein the transport mechanism comprises (i) a gross movement mechanism for transporting the CT imaging unit across room distances, and (ii) a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to a patient, during scanning. 
     
     
       13. A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
 providing an imaging system comprising:
 a housing having a center opening; 
 a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
 a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; 
 an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and 
 an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and 
 
 a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate; 
 
 positioning an object in the center opening; 
 passing the X-ray beam through the object disposed in the center opening; and 
 using one of the X-ray detector and the detector plate to detect the X-ray beam after it passes through the object disposed in the center opening. 
 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 13  wherein using one of the X-ray detector and the detector plate to detect the X-ray beam comprises moving the detector plate to its extended position so that the detector plate detects the X-ray beam. 
     
     
       15. A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
 providing an imaging system comprising:
 a housing having a center opening; 
 a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
 a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; 
 an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and 
 an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and 
 
 an ultrasound imager; 
 
 positioning an object in the center opening; and 
 using at least one of the CT imaging unit and the ultrasound imager to image the object in the center opening.